Men fear death, as children fear to go in the dark; and as that natural fear in children, is increased with tales, so is the other.
The opening line to this essay suggests that much of what is feared about dying is attributable less to anything that is or can actually be known about it than to what man himself has imagined death to be. The written word is revealed to hold as much or more power over the emotions of man than the mysteries of the universe.
There is surely no greater wisdom, than well to time the beginnings, and onsets, of things.
A number of great philosophers have weighed in on the issue of what aspect of human thought may be regarded as the ultimate wisdom worth attaining. Bacon is surely unique in placing above all others the knowledge of when to initiate a plan of action or, more colloquially, the knowledge of foresight.
Unmarried men are best friends, best masters, best servants; but not always best subjects; for they are light to run away; and almost all fugitives, are of that condition.
This essay offers another unique proposition, one that seems less likely to hold up to critical analysis than Bacon’s assertions on the greatest of all wisdom. Here, Bacon argues that almost all "fugitives" are bachelors, or single men. While Bacon likely does mean this literally, the figurative point is still clear and likely true: give someone responsibilities and he may think twice about extremities of action.
It were better to have no opinion of God at all, than such an opinion, as is unworthy of him. For the one is unbelief, the other is contumely; and certainly superstition is the reproach of the Deity.
Notably, Bacon’s writings were conducted prior to post-Enlightenment abilities to call into question the fundamental basis of religious belief. The definition of superstition as a rebuke of faith in God carried much greater credibility and cache during Bacon’s lifetime. Now, some may argue that belief in God is itself a form of superstition. In Bacon's time, quite the opposite was true: to have superstitious beliefs was a slight to God and a perversion of Christianity.
Certainly, in taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy; but in passing it over, he is superior; for it is a prince's part to pardon.
Bacon’s thoughts on revenge make this essay especially interesting to the scholarship which has accumulated over the centuries that stakes the argument that he was the actual author of some, most, or all of Shakespeare’s plays. Certainly, this analysis of the twofold aspect of seeking vengeance would have been highly applicable to many of the revenge tragedies written for the early modern stage, including Shakespeare's Hamlet.
Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested.
In this now famous quotation about one's education, Bacon argues that one's pursuit of knowledge does not mean that every text should be approached with rigorous intellectual curiosity. Instead, he notes that while reading everything is important, engaging seriously with material is reserved only for a select few texts. This quotation also argues that one need not approach every piece of written knowledge with an eye toward analysis, and that it is instead okay to decline interpretation for the sake of efficiency or even pleasure.
Money is like manure, it is only good if you spread it around.
In this quotation, Bacon makes a rather frank statement that showcases his investment in what many might consider a nascent form of socialism. Bacon argues that money, like manure (which fertilizes crops), is only useful if it is spread to many hands. He emphasizes this concept of shared wealth in his utopian novel The New Atlantis, which portrays a society in which all resources are shared and poverty is nonexistent.
Certainly fame is like a river, that beareth up things light and swoln, and drowns things weighty and solid.
Here, Bacon expresses skepticism over the concept of fame and excessive praise. He compare fame to a river or body of water that raises up "light" things and drowns "heavy" things. This quotation suggests that fame is only suited for those lacking depth and intellectual density; those with "heavy" dispositions – or intellectual curiosity – are likely to be overwhelmed and destroyed by the excessive praise and celebrity that fame brings.
For friendship maketh indeed a fair day in the affections, from storm and tempests; but it maketh daylight in the understanding, out of darkness and confusion of thoughts.
Friendship is very important to Francis Bacon. He sees friendship not only as a natural, divinely inspired part of being human, but also as an integral component of one's pursuit of knowledge. Here, he argues that friendship is a way of making "daylight" out of one's thoughts; by sharing conversations with friends, one is combatting confusion, disillusionment, and melancholy that can arise through learning.
God Almighty first planted a garden: and indeed it is the purest of human pleasures.
It may be tempting to read Bacon's praise of gardens as simply one of his idiosyncrasies (of which there are many), but gardens actually occupy an important role in literary and philosophical history. Gardens and other natural, secluded spaces were frequently the backdrops for major philosophical works, including the Platonic dialogues and, more contemporary for Bacon, Sir Thomas More's Utopia.
